The loss to the Bengals pretty much closes out the Browns on any post season.  Another awful loss from an organization that seemingly moved on to next year before Sundays game, leaving hard working players and loyal fans behind.  A loss filled with terrible penalties, boneheaded in game choices, and offensive futility yet again.  This week the Browns told you they gave up on the season.

And can we just stop with all the local and national media with this silliness that the Browns have the Bengals "number?"  And that the Browns are in Joe Burrows head?  I know you need on air fodder, but that is ridiculous.  Burrow is as poised and as complete of a QB that has come around in a while.  Anyone that thought he was intimidated coming into this game - that's just laughable.  Where they are and where we are  - well, it's a large crevasse. 

In the last two weeks the Browns played the leagues worst team in Houston, and one of the best in Cincy.  So, it's been a fair test when you average it out.  The offense has scored a grand total of 16 points in those games with a single touchdown. Last week alone the special teams and defense scored 21.  Sunday, the Browns defense played a darn good game, admittedly against a Cincy team without three legit offensive weapons.  But the Browns were in a position to compete and maybe win. But they chose otherwise.  They chose to start spring training for 2023 early.

They had a chance to get in that game with a QB that has led the offense all year long and has the stats to back it up.  But Brissett rode the pine all day, while Watson was left in there to learn on the job.  OK, I know he is the future, he's going to be great again and that's fine.  But right now, his present is not good.  Teams are showing amazing, almost brazen disrespect to him, it's almost embarrassing.  Teams are just jamming up the running game against us and telling the Browns, "Go ahead Watson, throw the ball and beat us!"   Watson is lost right now. 

With next season in view already, the only thing that can really happen to the Browns in the next month is not good.  There will be no post season this year and Brissett will not be here either next year.  So if sending out Watson for the next few games is Stefanki's, or the Browns choice, that is flawed.  If 2023 is what you're really thinking, getting Watson possibly seriously hurt in these next meaningless games is a real organizational risk. The Ravens this week and the Commanders in a couple weeks are playing BIG games for themselves for THIS season, and they will be ruthless, and couldn't care less about Watson.  Then the Steelers in the final week.

The Browns have a major problem that is clearly organization wide. They know everything.  That's a bad way to be in life or as an NFL team.  You see, when you know everything, there is nothing left for you to learn.  So you don't - and won't -  and if you are of that ilk, you will have little success and lead an existence that is lonely and alienating.  With Watson as your clear future - the future is simply that - it's not today.  Winning Sunday was all that mattered and Stefanski told every other hard working veteran that's been there for years that this season was over.  This staff has no idea how to win that game -  on that day.

The Bengals simply laughed as a noncompetitive, rusty and confused QB tried to beat them  -  and he couldn't and didn't.  Brissett is not the long term answer, but he may have been Sunday when it still could have mattered, but we will never know.  With his knowledge of the offense and his experience THIS season with THIS team he would have given then Bengals something else to think about.

The Browns are 5-8 with 4 games to go.  But it's OK, we are in good hands, because the coach and organization knows everything.

GO BROWNS!